Category Archives: Stem Cell Research

By: IANS | New York | Published:June 21, 2017 4:48 pm The combination of resveratrol (found largely in grape skins) and grape seed extract is very effective at killing colon cancer cells.(Source: File photo) Compounds found in grape skins and seeds can kill colon cancer cells and may eventually lead to treatments to help prevent the condition, say researchers including one of Indian origin. The combination of resveratrol (found largely in grape skins) and grape seed extract is very effective at killing colon cancer cells, said Jairam K.P. Vanamala, Associate Professor of Food Sciences at Pennsylvania State University in the US. And what were learning is the combination of these compounds is not toxic to healthy cells, Vanamala, who is also a faculty member at the Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, said. The findings, published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, could pave the way for clinical testing of the compounds in human colon cancer, which is the second most common cancer in women and the third in men. If successful, the compounds could then be used in a pill to help prevent colon cancer and lessen the recurrence of the disease in colon cancer survivors. The researchers … Continue reading →

The small pack of scientists running for political office has grown by one. Stem-cell researcher Hans Keirstead, 50, announced last week that he will try to unseat Californias Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R). Keirstead, a Democrat with a PhD in neuroscience from the University of British Columbia, was a professor at the University of California at Irvinebefore launching and selling several biotech companies. Rohrabacher, who represents the 48th District in Southern California, has been in Congress since 1988. Democrats there see 2018 asa vulnerable year for the incumbent. Although Republicans outnumber Democrats in thedistrict, Hillary Clinton swung it in the 2016 election. And Rohrabacher has come under scrutiny for his support of acloser relationship with Russia. In May, the chair of Orange County Democrats toldThe Washington Post that challengers were coming out the woodwork to oppose him. Five candidatesbesides Keirstead have declared they are running for the seat. Keirstead emerged from academic and entrepreneurial fields. Hepioneered a technique to purify stem cells You cant go putting toenails into the spinal cord, he said and applied this method to spinal-cord injuries and diseases such ascancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. In 2014,he sold a stem-cell company in a deal reportedly worth … Continue reading →

Table of Content Introduction Precise Counting of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Counting and Viability of Hematopoietic Stem Cells Counting Cells Growing on Microcarriers Cell Count Determination in Spheroids Stem cell research and the significant potentials in stem cell therapy show a great deal of promise in 21st century medical treatments. Since stem cells typically need specialized conditions in culturing, knowing the concentration and capability of stem cells can be challenging. Precise techniques for the determination of cell concentration and viability are needed to confirm consistency and reproducibility in stem cell culture. A wide range of specialized assays satisfying the needs of dedicated stem cell laboratories are offered by NucleoCounter instruments. For reproducibility in stem cell research and production, detailed determination of cell viability and concentration is very crucial. Enhanced protocols are included in the NucleoCounter instruments to establish the count and viability of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), that develop on microcarriers, and hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) found in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) fraction directly from whole blood and cell count determinations in spheroids. Figure 1. Counting mononuclear cells including adipose-derived MSC in the stromal vascular fraction. (A) The stromal vascular fraction contains beside MSC, preadipocytes, endothelial cells … Continue reading →

WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Frequency Therapeutics, a company spearheading the movement to restore hearing by harnessing the regenerative potential of progenitor cells in the body, today announced a presentation delineating the companys proprietary platform, Progenitor Cell Activation (PCA), was presented at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2017 Annual Meeting which took place in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 14-17. The presentation, Small molecule activation of progenitor cells as a means of in situ tissue regeneration, described a process that may provide a novel means of addressing cellular deficiencies or malfunctions in many diseases including hearing loss, dermatology, muscle and gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. The presentation was conducted on Friday, June 16 at 7:00pm ET by Chris Loose, Ph.D., Co-founder and CSO of Frequency Therapeutics. Scientists have worked for decades pushing targeted cells to regenerate. The applicability of tissue regeneration is limited by the complexities of cell therapy, including cell delivery, gene expression and functionality. Unlike previous approaches which resulted in forced conversion of Lgr5+ cells into the desired cell type, Frequencys PCA technology uses a precise and controlled application of small molecules to activate dormant progenitor cells within the body, causing them to divide and differentiate into their designated target cells. … Continue reading →

Testing stem cell therapies unilaterally?A side-by-side comparison of strength of key muscles may enable scientists to evaluate stem cell therapies for the disease. The approach aims to control for the variability of the disease internally, without historical cohorts and/or the use of a placebo (see Donofrio and Bedlack, 2011; Glass et al., 2016).The biceps and triceps appear to be most reliable muscles to monitor progression in people with ALS according to this analysis (Rushton et al., 2017). [Neural progenitor cells. Courtesy of Nature Cell Biology. Reproduced with permission.] Motor neurons degenerate in ALS. Why these cells are destroyed remains unclear. Therefore, how to slow or stop this destruction of motor neurons in ALS remains an open question. In the meantime, a growing number of scientists are turning to stem cells in hopes to promote motor neuron survival in people with ALS and/or reduce their toxicity (see December 2015 conference news). But how to evaluate these strategies in the clinic remains hotly debated. Now, a research team at Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California reports that an emerging outcome measure, which involves monitoring muscle strength, may facilitate the evaluation of stem cell therapies for the disease (Rushton et al., … Continue reading →

Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Jason Pellettieri and several undergraduate students are researching the regenerative characteristics of planarian flatworms this summer. The goal is to break ground on understanding the biological workings behind stem cells and regeneration. Some animals naturally exhibit this capacity and therefore provide ideal experimental subjects for studying cellular and molecular mechanisms of regeneration. Research in my laboratory deals with one such model organism the planarianSchmidtea mediterranea, said Dr. Pelletieri. This aquatic flatworm has the remarkable ability to form entirely new individuals, complete with nervous, digestive, and reproductive systems, from tiny body fragments. My students and I are using the recently completedS. mediterraneagenome sequence to investigate the genetic basis of this phenomenon. This project will help expand the field of flatworm research by characterizing new genes that control how stem cells respond to injury, said undergraduate researcher Chris Abel 18. Abel is one of seven researchers in Dr. Pellettieris lab. He began conducting research with another faculty member before transitioning into his current position. He says that a lot of the skills needed to be proficient in the lab came first from the classroom, but that he also brings back new skills from his research experience. I … Continue reading →

Photo Credit: Nati Shohat / Flash 90 Patients with severe and end-stage heart failure have few treatment options available to them apart from transplants and miraculous stem cell therapy. But a new Tel Aviv University study has found that stem cell therapy may in fact harm patients with heart disease. The research, led by Prof. Jonathan Leor of TAUs Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sheba Medical Center and conducted by TAUs Dr. Nili Naftali-Shani, explores the current practice of using cells from the host patient to repair tissue and contends that this can prove deleterious or toxic for patients. The study was recently published in the journal Circulation. We found that, contrary to popular belief, tissue stem cells derived from sick hearts do not contribute to heart healing after injury, said Prof. Leor. Furthermore, we found that these cells are affected by the inflammatory environment and develop inflammatory properties. The affected stem cells may even exacerbate damage to the already diseased heart muscle. Tissue or adult stem cells blank cells that can act as a repair kit for the body by replacing damaged tissue encourage the regeneration of blood vessel cells and new heart muscle tissue. Faced with a worse … Continue reading →

The discovery of stem cell has revolutionized the medical world. Ever since the pioneering work of Canadian scientists, Dr. James Till and Dr. Ernest McCulloch, stem cell research has opened up doors to treatments for seemingly incurable conditions and set the groundwork for regenerative medicine. To support stem cell translation and to help scientists, researchers, and industry members to stay ahead of this constantly evolving field, Clariden Global is proud to present Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Global Summit in Toronto, Canada, from 25th 27th September 2017. The summit will showcase the latest innovations and breakthroughs in stem cell research and medical applications. You will discover the solutions to technical challenges in stem cell expansion, delivery, and integration, and find out how to address rejection and tumor risks of stem cell therapy. The event presents a premium platform for all participants to discover development progress of stem cell medical treatments. Like what you just read? You can find similar content on the communities below. To personalize the content you see on Technology Networks homepage, Log In or Subscribe for Free The rest is here: Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Global Summit | Cell ... - Technology Networks … Continue reading →

Rep. Jim Banks, R-3rd, introduced legislation Thursday that would prevent the use of federal funds for stem cell research involving human embryos. Banks' bill would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to give priority to medical research with the greatest potential for near-term clinical benefit in human patients and that does not use stem cells from destroyed, discarded or created embryos. Scientists say embryonic stem cells show potential for transforming into other cells that might repair tissue damaged by disease or injury. Human embryonic stem cells used in research come from donated, unused fertilized eggs developed for in vitro fertilization procedures. Adult blood stem cells are used to treat leukemia, and adult neural stem cells have been tested for brain disorders and spinal cord injuries. This bipartisan bill prioritizes stem cell research that has a real impact on patients suffering right now while ensuring that research is conducted ethically without destroying human embryos, Banks, a freshman lawmaker from Columbia City, said in a statement. Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-Ill., co-sponsored Banks' bill, which is called the Patients First Act of 2017. The Dickey-Wicker Amendment of 1996 prohibited HHS from funding research using created or destroyed human embryos. But … Continue reading →

Republican Congressman Jim Banks (IN-03) today joined with Democratic Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-03) to introduce a bipartisan bill to direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to prioritize life-affirming stem cell research with near-term benefits for human patients and to refrain from creating or destroying human embryos in the process. This bipartisan bill prioritizes stem cell research that has a real impact on patients suffering right now while ensuring that research is conducted ethically with destroying human embryos, said Banks. HHS and NIH both perform important life-saving research and promoting research that protects life has support on both sides of the aisle. If enacted, the Banks legislation would direct HHS to prioritize stem cell research that has the greatest potential for near-term benefit in human patients. The bill also prohibits such research from creating or destroying human embryonic stem cells in the process. Follow LifeNews.com on Instagram for pro-life pictures. The bill would direct the HHS Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the NIH, to publish final guidelines to ensure all future research prioritizes the potential for near-term clinical benefit in human patients while refraining from creating or destroying human … Continue reading →